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(Editor’s note: Each week during the season, the Free Press will catch up with former Michigan center, and former Toledo graduate assistant, Jack Miller for insight from the perspective of a former player/coach)

Few teams in recent Michigan football history went through the gauntlet like the 2014 squad.

Jack Miller, a starting center on that group, waded through the off-field distractions, negative media attention and fans booing in the stadium. It wasn't easy.

But Miller grew up around big-time football and athletics. His late father, P.J., was close friends with former NFL head coach (and current assistant) Rob Chudzinski. His uncle is Jim Leyland. So when it comes to that "fake love," Miller's well-versed. From all sides.

"I knew all about that process and that 'fake love' that people talk about. From the coaches and the fans," he said. "Because the stuff going on in Schembechler? That's probably more of a culture shock than anything (they're getting) from the fans."

Michigan was thrashed Saturday night in Happy Valley. Fans are upset. National pundits are launching missiles at Harbaugh and his program every day. Talk radio can't stop discussing this group's struggles. It's a story now, and there's no putting it back in the can.

Publicly, players explain how they ignore all this. In reality, Miller notes that's impossible. They hear it. They see it. At a place like Michigan, it's impossible to ignore it. But now, he says, comes the culture test.

Which players are going to let it bother them? And which players truly can push through it?

"If those are the types of things as a player that you get wrapped up in, then you're probably not going to be very good anyway and you're probably not in this for the right reasons," he says. "So now is the time where things like that start to show. Not it's character time. It's not easy now. You look back to when everybody got back on campus and school started and everyone had all these national hopes and all that love and then you go beat Florida ... and now it's 'you guys suck.'

"If you're the kind of guy who gets concerned about that or wrapped up in that, then you're probably not there for the right reasons. And now is the time where it's going to show and it can hurt. So guys who do care about that, this is when those guys get exposed."

Who gets back to work and who refuses to put down the smart phone?

We're about to find out.

"It's easy when everyone loves you and tells you how great you are," Miller says. "But can you handle the reality of what happens when things get tough?

"This is the time to see that."

Saquon Barkley #26 of Penn State rushes for a 69 yard touchdown in the first half against Michigan on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. (Photo: Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)

Penn State's pretty good

Part of Michigan's defensive problems were self-inflicted.

But Michigan's biggest problem was Penn State. The Nittany Lions have an offense that can exploit people at every level. Saquon Barkley's an elite talent, Trace McSorley didn't miss many throws and wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton excelled in the slot.

Issues showed up on tape, and they'll have to be corrected. But in reality, Michigan isn't going to see an offense like this again. Until it plays Ohio State.

"It's probably time to acknowledge Penn State as a national contender, they look like a great team," Miller says. "(Michigan's defense) did not play well, obviously. But I don't think that's too big of a concern or worry. That was a good offense that got (Michigan) into some mismatches that weren't favorable and they got exposed a little bit on defense. And that happens from time to time.

"But I'm not going to bash them (too much) and say they're not capable of performing well again. I think they are. But now they have to rebound and fix the weaknesses that got exposed. And correct them."

QB question

Does Michigan begin the process of seeing what Brandon Peters can do in a game or stick with John O'Korn, the fifth-year senior who who hasn't shown much in three starts?

It's a complicated question. And the only person who has the answer — and can make this decision — is Jim Harbaugh.

"There are a lot of complexities with bringing in a kid like Peters at his point in the season," he said. "Is it fair to the kid? Is he being put in a good spot? It gets complex. So they have to weigh those difference and, to be honest, no one knows but the people in Schembechler Hall know what those are. When Wilton (Speight) was playing and everyone was banging the table screaming for O'Korn, those are the same ones banging the table for Peters. So, maybe some need to check how that works.

"If Brandon Peters was playing night and day better than John O'Korn was in practice, I think he'd be playing. Especially now. But there are complexities to it."